Corruption and the Feminization of Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Corruption is the cancer that is killing African nations, causing untold millions of African people to die from diseases, famines, AIDS, wars, and other disasters that would otherwise have abated if handled competently. Using examples drawn predominantly from Kenya, but relevant to other African countries, this paper considers how corruption impacts women, especially as it relates to the feminization of poverty. It suggests that corruption has worsened an already bad situation by diminishing scarce resources, and disproportionately affecting women and their children. It suggests that curbing corruption is critical to the emancipation of women, the eradication of poverty and the welfare of all Africans, both men and women.